Authors generally convey a message through their characters, and Dickens was no different. We are supposed to learn a lesson from Scrooge, just as Marley tries to teach Scrooge to learn a lesson from his own fate.
Scrooge is a snobby, stingy, selfish jerk, to be plain. Throughout the novel, he is confronted with his own shortcomings; as he examines them, so does the reader. We are to learn from Scrooge's life just as he learns from it. Here are some examples from his visits:
Marley - tells Scrooge that people should have been his business in life, and that he has forged the painful chain he wears in death by his callousness. He warns Scrooge not to repeat the same mistakes he made in life.
Ghost of Christmas Past - reminds Scrooge that he wasn't always miserable and alone; he was once hopeful, and he had friends. During childhood, his father sent him away, but he had a sister who loved him. During his youth, he had his generous employer Fezziwig and other work friends.
Ghost of Christmas Present - reminds Scrooge to live in the here and now. Shows him that his life is good compared to others around him, and yet they're happy and he's miserable. Shows him what it means to be grateful for what you have.
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - shows Scrooge that he is doomed to die alone if he doesn't change his ways and reach out to his fellow man.
As Scrooge learns these lessons, so can we.
No comments:
Post a Comment